Where Big Ideas and Bright Minds Meet
Officially called the Invernizzi Center for Research on Innovation, Organization, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, ICRIOS explores how innovation happens, how organizations work, and how strategies shape the business world. Since early 2025, the center has been led by Nilanjana Dutt, who brings fresh energy and a collaborative spirit to its mission.
A place where ideas grow
ICRIOS was created by combining several smaller research groups into one, with the aim of building a powerful, interdisciplinary hub. It brings together professors, researchers, and now, more and more students who are passionate about tackling the big questions facing companies and society today.
With around 40 research fellows, ICRIOS offers support for projects at all stages — from new ideas to final publication. Researchers can apply for grants to start innovative work or receive help finalizing articles that are close to being published. Sharing is part of the culture: when fellows acquire new datasets, they are encouraged to make them available to others in the group, creating a strong sense of community and collaboration.
Helping students do meaningful research
Students also play a key role in the ICRIOS ecosystem. One of the center’s highlights is a seminar series for PhD students, where young scholars share their work and get constructive feedback from faculty and peers. It’s an important way for students to build confidence, improve their research skills, and connect with others.
Recognizing that data access is often a hurdle for students, the center is working to make that process easier for students collaborating with fellows. Caveats remain because many datasets only provide access to current members. However, says Dutt “we want students to spend less time chasing data and more time actually learning from it.” With the support of Vice Director Nicola Misani, she is developing better supervision and faster access to research materials, helping students focus on what really matters.
Building community and collaboration
Beyond research, ICRIOS also focuses on building connections. It supports events and conferences that bring scholars together from Italy and abroad, encouraging the kind of idea exchange that leads to meaningful discoveries.
The center is also working on improving how it communicates, with a revamped website on the way and a more consistent presence within Bocconi’s broader network of research centers. The goal is to make it easier for both internal and external audiences to learn what ICRIOS is doing and how to get involved.
Looking ahead
As director, Nilanjana Dutt sees ICRIOS not just as a place for research, but as a creative engine for the university. “We want ICRIOS to be a space — physical and intellectual — where people connect, collaborate, and build something bigger than any one project,” she explains.
